How to Remove and Reattach a Toilet Tank

A new coat of paint can enhance any room. New paint in a bathroom can give new life to a tired look. Before you run off to the store to buy a gallon of paint consider the biggest obstacle to a bathroom update. While removing fixtures and mirrors take some care, removing the tank from the back of the toilet seems daunting enough turn some do-it-yourselfers off. But it can be done with a few simple tools.

Towels

Socket wrench set

adjustable wrench

flat screw

Replacement parts - tank attachment kit

Hacksaw

Gloves

Plastic bag

Take a few minutes to see how your toilet is put together. Clean the area thoroughly.

Turn off the water at the wall. Most toilets have an easy to close shut off value. Flush the toilet to remove most of the water in the tank. There will be some residual water use extra towels to soak it up.

Unscrew the hose leading to the tank. It has a plastic cover that screws off. There is another screw that secures the hose to the tank unscrew that too. You may new an adjustable wrench for that. Inspect the hose, plastics cover and washer to see if they need replaced. It is a good idea to replace worn out parts while you have the tank removed.

Remove the two bolts on each side of the center of the toilet tank. You will have to reach under the tank with a socket wrench to remove the bolts. Once they are unscrewed remove the bolts from the bottom of the tank. You may need a flat screwdriver to pry the bolt and washer up.

More often than not the bolt will be difficult to remove because it is rusted. If that is true you will need a hack saw blade. There is a space between the tank and the base of the back of the toilet. A flash light will help you see where the bolt is located. Using glove situate the hack saw blade against the bolt and saw the bolt in half.

Remove the back of the tank from the base and remove the old rubber ring. Place all the removed parts in a plastic bag. You can take the old parts with you to the store when you purchase the replacement parts to ensure you have the right replacements.

Paint your walls. When you are finished replace the rubber ring at the bottom of the tank and place the tank on the base of the toilet.

Place the new bolts and washer per order they were remove or according to the diagram on the package. Use a socket wrench to tighten the bolts. Only tighten the bolt one turn past hand tight. You can crack the tank if you use too much pressure and tighten the bolt too tight.

Secure the hose back on to the bottom of the tank. Make sure both the screw and the plastic cover are tightened.